Beyond the Sacred Words

~~~ Exodus 32:7-14 ~~~ Psalm 106 ~~~ John 5:31-47 ~~~

Moses tries to reason with God.

This is almost a comical scenario. On the other hand 

does it say something more about the relationship Moses had with God?

He felt like he could speak openly and honestly with God.

God had been providing everything for the Israelite people.

He just could not keep them satisfied.

They were an impatient people.

They turned to alternative means to make 

themselves feel better.

We do this as well...

that is how we end up finding ourselves in sin.

Understandably God was not happy.

Moses even goes so far as to remind God what his enemies might say.

They might accuse God of setting up this whole journey
as a trap to trick the people.

Of course we know this is not the

Moses assumed responsibility for the whole group,

whether it was right or wrong. 

You search the Scriptures,
because you think you have eternal life through them;
even they testify on my behalf.
But you do not want to come to me to have life.

Moses had a personal relationship with God.
Sometimes we forget that God wants to have a
personal relationship with each of us as well.
While I certainly love the Scriptures,
 we cannot fool ourselves into believing that knowing bible verses
replaces this relationship with God.

When Jesus walked among his people
they had the unique opportunity
 to have a tangible relationship with him.

God led Moses so that he could lead the people to the Promised Land.
God took care of their physical needs...
protecting them in battle...
feeding them in the desert...
giving them water...

When Jesus came the entire scenario was refined
to include the care of one's soul, the spiritual life.

Jesus says one does not live by bread alone...
one cannot have a personal relationship with God
by reading the Scriptures alone.

The Scriptures are truly designed to lead us into
a greater relationship with God.
We must go beyond the words on the page.

Jesus sees into the heart.
Jesus knows what is not spoken.

Knowledge of the Scriptures hopefully leads us to
the font of eternal life...
Jesus.
Those who came before Jesus to testify on his behalf were transient.
When Jesus comes he is not transient; he will be
with us until the end of time.

Blessed to be given the living Word of God.
May these words be the conduit to a
deeper relationship with the Lord.
It is only by coming to him that we will have eternal life.
Peace.

Let Jesus Open Your Mind

~~~ Acts 3: 11-26 ~~~ Psalm 8 ~~~ Luke 24: 35-48 ~~~

Peter is not mincing his words during this sermon. He accuses the Israelites of ignoring all of the words of the prophets. “...The author of life you put to death, but God raised him from the dead; of this we are witnesses.” Peter finally says after he calms down, but I know you acted out of ignorance, just as your leaders did.”

In other words you still have a chance to make things right with your God. Even if you make a mistake and follow the wrong person; once you discover this you can still repent and be converted.

These are the very people God made his covenant with through Abraham and Moses. He is appealing to their understanding of their own heritage...don’t you get it?

You are the chosen people from ancient times.

Jesus extended peace to the disciples, standing in their midst, while the two from Emmaus are excitedly sharing how they ‘recognized him in the breaking of the bread’.

I think so often we are fearful when we recognize God is working in our lives. Questions do arise within our hearts. Maybe we are fine where we are and the thought of something different is unsettling. Our plans are often not God's plans for us.

Jesus invites them to touch him. He wants them to know without a doubt that it really is him. It is not a ghost they are creating in their mind, but it is him. While they are still catching their breath he asks for something to eat. He eats and confirms for them the truths written by the prophets long before.

Then Jesus does something remarkable, but yet something we can also pray for today... “He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.” They had this huge AHA! Suddenly their questions were no longer unanswered. They could see with new vision. Jesus was giving them this blessing, because of their faithfulness. They became first person witnesses to the fulfillment of the scriptural promises.

Amazing Grace!!

They had first hand confirmation of his resurrection. They once again touched him and ate with him. This is one of several post resurrection appearances made by Jesus. He was assuring his beloved followers that there would be no questions or any doubt about the resurrection.

They had made the sorrowful journey to Golgotha with him and now

they are included in the magnificence of his Resurrection.

What you have seen with your own eyes,

touched with your own fingers,

and heard with your own ears can never be taken away from you.

These experiences with Jesus permanently imprinted  upon their hearts.

They went out to spread the good news.

The prophets were indeed inspired by God through their words.

What is imprinted upon your heart?